What Is a Holter Monitor and Why Might You Need One?

What Is a Holter Monitor?

A 24 Hour Holter Monitor is a small, portable device that continuously records the electrical activity of your heart (an ECG) over a full 24-hour period. It is worn while you go about your normal daily activities, including sleeping.

Unlike a standard ECG -- which records only 10 seconds of heart rhythm in a clinic -- a Holter monitor captures every single heartbeat over an entire day. This makes it particularly valuable for detecting intermittent heart rhythm problems that may not be present during a brief clinic visit.

Why Your Doctor May Recommend a Holter Monitor

Common reasons for Holter monitoring include palpitations (a racing, fluttering, or skipping sensation), unexplained dizziness or fainting (syncope), suspected atrial fibrillation (AF), monitoring the effectiveness of heart rhythm medication, and assessment of heart rhythm after a cardiac event.

Because many heart rhythm problems come and go, a Holter monitor is the best way to catch them. It records continuously so that even brief episodes lasting only a few seconds are captured.

What Happens During the Test

At your appointment, a technician will attach several small electrodes (sticky patches) to your chest. These electrodes are connected by thin wires to a small recording device, which is typically worn on a belt or in a pouch around your neck.

You will wear the monitor for a full 24 hours and then return it to the clinic. During this time, you should continue your normal daily activities. You will be asked to keep a brief diary noting any symptoms you experience (such as palpitations, dizziness, or chest pain) and what you were doing at the time.

The only restriction is that you cannot shower or bathe while wearing the monitor, as the device and electrodes must stay dry.

What Does a Holter Monitor Detect?

The recorded data is analysed by a cardiologist who reviews every heartbeat. The analysis can detect atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm that increases stroke risk), supraventricular tachycardia (sudden episodes of rapid heart rate), ventricular ectopic beats (extra beats from the lower chambers), bradycardia (abnormally slow heart rate), and pauses in heart rhythm.

By correlating the heart rhythm recording with your symptom diary, the cardiologist can determine whether your symptoms are caused by a rhythm disturbance.

Holter Monitoring at Complete Heart Centre

Holter monitoring is available at our Sydenham, Bundoora and Williams Landing clinics and is fully bulk billed through Medicare. You will attend for a brief appointment to have the monitor fitted, wear it for 24 hours, and return it the next day. Dr Grewal will review the results and discuss them with you at your follow-up consultation.